If You Grew Up Interpreting For Your Immigrant Parents, These Tweets Are For You

Growing up in a Spanish-speaking household, I, from a very young age, had to help my mom navigate life in the United States. It was a frustrating experience, because I was asked to interpret language above my comprehension level into Spanish, that left me feeling disappointed in myself. For many others from Latino and immigrant backgrounds, this is an all-too-common experience. That’s why when comedian Cristela Alonzo recently shouted out all the “immigrant kids that serve as translators for their parents,” the tweet resonated with those who knew one mistake could have negative effects.

https://twitter.com/cristela9/status/945712140391931904

The responses she received will remind you that playing the role of interpreter for your parents is both difficult and rewarding. Check out a few responses below:

https://twitter.com/cristela9/status/945714157466271745

I remember trying to translate immigration paperwork for my grandfather at 8.Hardest was going into doc appointments with mom. Sitting in there with her while awaiting biopsy results was hard. But delivering the good news on those results became one of our biggest bonding moments

So much Yes to this! I remember being 6 and my grandmother was in the hospital I had to translate for my mom, There were also other families there who could not speak English and my mom told me “Mija ve y ayúdales!” Translating for strangers was not fun when youre 6

Jaja I used to get in trouble in school as a kid. And when I called my dad to tell him and needed to translate, I’d tell him he had to pick me cuz the principal said I was too well behaved for school when really I had gotten suspended for the day.

I translated starting at 10, and still do sometimes now in my 30s. This is so spot on, and not nearly acknowledged enough. Children of immigrants often have so much on their shoulders that they can’t even verbalize. Try translating deportation documents to your parents as a kid.